Sales & Trading Summer Analyst

As a target school student, I had the opportunity to begin communications with Goldman in the fall of my junior year during the firm on-campus information session. I can't emphasize enough the importance of attending firm information sessions, not only to network and to show interest, but to meet the employees who are alums of your university and will support your application later on in the process. In my case, 2 of the contacts I met in the fall actually turned out to be my first round and superday interviewers, which greatly contributed to me ultimately being extended an offer. As far as the interview process itself goes for the Goldman summer S&T program, I had 1 30-minute on campus interview with 2 GS employees. The interview was for the most part fit-- the only "technical" questions I was asked were my views on the markets and a trade/investment idea (two things you should have nailed down in your sleep if you're serious about pursuing S&T). The superday consisted of 3 interviews, 2 of which were 1 on 1 and 1 of which was 2-1. The interviews were almost exclusively fit, with questions asking me about a time i've exemplified personal integrity (I found this to be a theme in most of my BB S&T interviews, as integrity and employee transparency is becoming ever more important with all of the federal regulations being imposed on the banks), being a leader, why S&T, why GS, etc. etc. The first 2 interviews, which were 1-1, were both 30 minutes. The 2-1 was a bit longer and more technical, with questions like what products I'm interested and why (and then follow up questions), how would I allocate $10 mm. in my portfolio, views on the markets, and other things of the sort. Although I am a varsity athlete at a target school and did complete a prior internship, my academic stats are by no means mind-blowing. However the way I was able to secure multiple BB S&T offers, and I cannot stress this enough to interested candidates, is networking and likeability. I consider myself a very social and affable person, and I can confidently say that this was the #1 driving factor of my candidacy. The hundreds of networking emails I sent out starting in August/september of junior year, the frequent coffees/phonecalls set up throughout the year, and the easygoing and refreshing conversations I had with employees at networking events all expressed to firms that I was strongly interested in S&T and knew about the business. Additionally, a great tip that is key to supplanting relationships after info sessions is not just following up, but following up with a topic you discussed specifically with the individual (I did this by writing down topics of conversation on contacts business cards right after parting ways). Those were mostly general SA recruiting tips, so I'll finish up with my 2 cents on Goldman Sachs itself. I ultimately chose not to accept my GS offer, and accepted an offer to a different BB's S&T program. Although I liked the employees I met with during my interviews, I felt that the ultra-competitive, cut-throat culture of the firm was not a place that I would personally thrive in. I wanted to work in a collaborative and team-oriented firm, in which colleagues are eager and willing to help you and promote your professional development, rather than just trying to get ahead of your teammates (this is based off concrete anecdotes provided by older friends at GS). Additionally, the GS S&T summer analyst yield rate (% that receive FT offers) is traditionally very low at around 30-40% because they always over hire interns. Finally, after speaking with various people in the trading industry, I learned that firm prestige is far less important that individual track record and the bank's reputation in a specific product. Had this been for IBD, I would have taken the GS offer without blinking. However since it was S&T and there are other things to be considered, I ultimately decided to go to a firm that was stronger in a product I am personally interested in, had a friendlier and more collaborative culture, and expressed a stronger desire for me to join their firm. Finally, to add about the GS interview-offer process, the firm I ultimately accepted with notified me of their offer within hours of my superday. At GS, I was notified of the offer 4-5 days later than I was initially told I would be contacted. In that 4-5 day grace period, the other firm had multiple people in senior management contact me and express their desire for me to join the firm. Overall, I felt GS, in their info-sessions, interviews, and offer phone call, emitted a colder and less friendly feel that some of the other shops, which was a large reason I ultimately chose to sign with a different firm.